Band-saw mill



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

A. CUNNINGHAM.

BAND SAW MILL.-

No. 427,404. Patented May 6, 1890.

mus PEYEIIS co., mnTo-Lnnm, WASHINGYDN n c fi m a av h S P a h S M AL Hm. GM m NS M N m .q m. o H

May 6, 1890.

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ma NORRIS Pz'rsns c0, woYo-umo., WASHINGTON, u. c.

UNlTE "I ALBERT CUNNINGHAM, OF MILVAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

BAND-SAW MILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,404, dated May 6, 1890.

Application filed April 16, 1889. Serial No. 307,512. (No model.)

To all wit/0712 it rncty concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT CUNNINGHAM, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Band- Saw Mills; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had .to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, part of this specification.

The main objects of my invention are to provide a sensitive automatic adjustment of the upper band-wheel, whereby a uniform tension of the saw is maintained and the upper wheel is permitted to yield to any unusual and sudden strain upon the saw, to rigidly support the upper saw-guide and to facilitate its adjustment, to facilitate the vertical adj ustment of the upper-band-wheel support or bearings, to facilitate the manufacture of the machine by adapting various parts thereof to either a right or left mill, to leave a wide clear space between the working side of the saw, the band-wheels, and the supportingframe or column, and to provide for the casting of a band-wheel having a continuous web integral with and connecting the rim and hub, &c.

It consists, essentially, of asuitable yoke or bearings carrying the upper band-wheel, pivoted to a suitable support and having ayielding connection with said support, whereby said upper band-wheel is allowed a limited vertical movement and the proper tension of the saw is maintained, of adjusting mechanism in connection with said yoke or bearings for raising and lowering the upper bandwheel, of a vertically and horizontally adjustwhich form able box in connection with said yoke,

whereby the tail end of the upper band-wheel shaft is raised or lowered and moved laterally for the purpose of alignment, of an overhanging guide-supporting column provided with a vertically-movable slide, which has a short guide-arm carrying the upper sawguide, of a supporting column or frame hav ing two uprightsone on each side of the upper band-wheelwhich carry overhanging bearings for the upper baud-wheel, whereby l a wide clear space is left between said sup porting frame or column and the working side of the saw and a firm support for the upper-band-wheel bearings is provided 011 both sides of the band-wheel, of a band-wheel having a continuous conical web connecting the hub and rim and cast integrally therewith, of the combination of a vertically-movable support for the upper band-wheel and a weighted lever connected therewith, of a spring-connection between the weight and lever, whereby a sudden depression of the upper band-wheel is caused to overcome the inertia of the weight gradually and the intermediate connections are relieved of sudden and excessive strain, and of other peculiarities of construction and arrangement hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out 'in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings like letters designate the same parts in the several figures.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved band-saw mill. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same as viewed from the left with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the yoke carrying the upper band-wheel with its connections and the adjustable bearing supporting the tail end of the upper-bandwheel shaft, and Fig. 4 is a detail illustrating a modification of the pivot-bearings of the yoke carrying the upper band-wheel.

The supporting-frame of the machine consists of a bed or base plate A, a pedestal A, attached to the upper side thereof and formed with a horizontal projection to on the front side, overhanging the lower band wheel, a standard A attached to said pedestal at or near its rear edge, a similar standard A attached to the front face of the projectionaof said pedestal, a depending bracket A formed integrally therewith and provided atthe lower end with an adjustable box for the front end of the lower-band-wheel shaft, and a depending bracket A attached to the under side of the base-plate A near its rear edge and provided at its lower end with an adj ustable box for the rear end of said lower-bandwheel shaft D, and an overhanging or inverted-L-shaped bracket A, attached to the top of said pedestal A between the standards A and A so as to extend upwardly and horitoo zontally just behind the upper band-wheel to pedestal A, and providedwith a hand-wheel a point near the working side of the saw, and formed or provided at its overhanging end with vertical waysa a The standards A and A are formed with vertical tubular bearings a a, in which are fitted the vertically movable cylindrical slides 13 B, which are provided at their lower ends with bearings for the ends of a horizontal connecting-shaft 1;. (Shown most clearly in Fig. 2.)

O is a U-shaped yoke, provided at its upper ends with boxes 0 c, which support the upper-band-wheel shaft D both in front of and behind the upper band-wheel E. The yoke O is also formed or provided at its upper ends on the side opposite the working side of the saw with horizontally-projecting arms 0 which. are pivoted or suitably fulcrumed to the upper ends of the cylindrical slides B B at points in the same or nearly the same horizontal plane with the axis of the shaft D.

The box carrying the tail end of the shaft 1), as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is supported in the yoke 0 having a vertical stem, which is adj ustably held in a socket 0 provided therefor on the yoke C by means of an adjustingscrew 0 Upon a horizontal adjustingscrew c journaled in the forked ends of said yoke 0 the box 0 is mounted so as to be moved horizontally by turning said screw for the purpose of cross-lining or moving the tail end of said shaft D horizontally.

The box 0, supporting the front end of the shaft D, has a ball and socket or other suitable universal-joint connection with the front arm of the yoke O to permit of the adjustment of said shaft D, effected by means of the movement of the box 0, above described.

Theyoke O at the lower side, underneath the upper band-wheel E, is connected with the downwardly-projecting crank-arm Z) on the shaft Z) by means of links To this shaft b, j ournaled, as previously described, in the lower ends of the vertical slides B B, is fixed a horizontal lever F, carrying near its outer end a weight f, adjustably suspended thereon by means of a rod f, which extends through a vertical perforation therein. Between a nut or head on the lower end of said rod f and said weightf is interposed a spring f which allows a sudden depression of the band-wheel to gradually overcome the inertia of said weight, and thereby relieve the saw, the yoke carrying the upper band-wheel, and its connections from sudden and excessive strain.

To the yoke C is attached a scraper 0 close to the rim of the upper band-wheel E. For the purpose of moving the slides B B vertically I provide the vertical adj Listing-screws G G, which engage nuts provided therefor in said slides and have suitable fixed bearings at or near their lower ends. These screws are turned and the slides 13 B simultaneously raised or lowered by means of a horizontal shaft g, journaled in suitable bearings on the g, or other suitable means for turning the same, and with bevel-gears g g which engage similar gears g g on the lower ends of the screws G G.

H is a slide adapted to be moved vertically on the ways a a at the overhanging end of the guide-supporting bracket A by means of a vertical screw h, having suitable bearings in said bracket and working with a nut 011 said slide. To ahorizontally-projecting stud on the outer face of the slide H is adj ustably secured, by means of an adj listing-screw i, a short depending arm I, carrying on its outer end the upper saw-guide J.

J is the lower saw-guide, adjustably attached to the lower-band-wheel guard K, or to any other suitable support, as shown in Fig. 1.

For the purpose of operating the upper guide J and turning the clearing-roller P, which is mounted upon a horizontal shaft 19 just behind and adjacent to the lower guide J, I provide a counter-shaft L, which is supported parallel with the lower-bandwheel shaft D in suitable bearings on the under side of the base-plate A, and is connected by a pair of bevel-gears Z and m with a vertical shaft M, having a laterally-movable bearing at its upper end.

In suitable bearings provided therefor in bracket A" is supported horizontally a shaft N, provided at one end with a bevel-gear n,

which meshes with the similar gear h on the screw h and at the other end with a pair of bevel friction-wheels n n. The vertical shaft M is provided with a bevel-gear m, which meshes with a similar gear 19' on the shaft 1) and at its upper end with a bevel friction-wheel m adjacent to and between the friction-wheels n n on the shaft N.

The movable box supporting the upper end shaft M is attached to one end of a bell-crank lever O, the other end of which is connected by a rod 0 with a crank-arm 0 on a rockshaft 0 supported in suitable bearings on the pedestal A, and provided at the rear end with a lever O, by means of which the friction-driver m is moved into engagement with either one of the pair of bevel friction-wheels n n, and the upper guide thereby raised or lowered, as desired.

The counter-shaft L is provided withapulley Z, connected by a belt with a pulley cl on the lower-band -wheel shaft D, from which it is driven. The lower band-wheel E is cast integrally with a continuous cone-shaped web 6 between its rim 6 and hub 6 This construction permits of the contraction of the rim e without injury to the web 6, which cools and solidifies before the rim, the cooling and consequent contraction of the rim simply producing a little sharper pitch or angle in the Web without injuriously affecting the same.

The several parts composing the supportin g-frame of the machine are made reversible,

so as to adapt them to either a right or left mill. In place of the particular form of j ointconnection between the yoke O and the slides B shown in Fig. 1 I may employ a pivot or fulcrum joint like that shown in Fig. 4, consisting of a hardened bearing point or edge 0", held in each laterally-projecting arm 0 of yoke O, and resting in a hardened cup or step 'r' in the top of each slide B. The adjustment of the upper-band-wheel shaft may be effected by means of the independent movement of one of the pivot-bearings which support the yoke O, carrying the upper bandwheel, instead of by means of the independent adjustment of one of the boxes in which the upper-band-wheel shaft bears, as hereinbefore described. The slides 13 B may be made of any other suitable form than that shown in the drawings, and the ways in or on which they move constructed accordingly.

The standard A and bracket A may be formed separately and attached one to the upper side and the other to the under side of the projection a on pedestal A, said projection being extended a little farther forward for that purpose. In short, the details of construction and arrangement of the parts composing my improved mill may be variously modified without affecting its mode of operation or departing from the spirit of my invention.

By means of the construction hereinbefore described the upper band-wheel yields sensitively to variations in the tension of the saw, thereby relieving it of undue strain and maintaining the proper tension thereof as nearly uniform as practicable. This end is accomplished by pivoting or hin ging the yoke carrying the upper band-wheel to supports horizontal to one side of the shaft D and providing a yielding connection between said yoke and a support, whereby the friction involved in the limited vertical movement of the upper band-wheel is reduced to the minimum. The construction described also facilitates the manufacture of the frame-work of the machine, and affords a wider opening between the same and the working side of the saw, which is very desirable in operating the mill. The upper guide is rigidly supported and its adjustment readily effected without obstructing the space between the band-wheels, the supporting-frame, and the working side of the saw. The yoke C may be made in two distinct parts or two separate supports for the band-wheel shaft, each pivoted independently of the other to the frame of the machine, and each having a separate connection with the weighted lever.

The arms 0 c of the yoke O are formed with inverted cups or recesses, which set over the tops of slides 13 B and prevent the displacement of the upper band-wheel in case the pivotal bearings are broken or disconnected.

I claim 1. 111 a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, .of bear in gs for said shaft, pivotally connected at one side thereof with a suitable support or supports, so as to permit of a sensitive yielding movement of said shaft and to avoid the friction of sliding bearings, whereby the proper tension of the saw is maintained, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of a yoke provided with bearings for said band-wheel,

provided with bearings for said shaft, and

pivoted horizontally to one side thereof to said slide or slides, and having a yielding connection therewith, whereby the upper bandwheel is allowed a limited vertical movement and the proper tension of the saw is maintained, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of a vertically-movable slide or slides, bearings for said shaft, pivotally connected horizontally to one side thereof to said slide or slides, so as to permit of a limited vertical movement of said shaft independently of the movement of said slide or slides, and a yielding connection between said bearings and said slide or slides, whereby the proper tension of the saw is maintained, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper baud-wheel and its shaft, of a yoke provided with bearings for said shaft and pivoted horizontally at one side thereof to a suitable support or supports, and having a yielding connection wit-h said support or supports, whereby the upper band-wheel is allowed a limited vertical movement and the proper tension of the saw is maintained, and means of adjusting said shaft, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-Wheel and its shaft, of a yoke pivoted horizontally at one side to a suitable support and provided with bearings for said shaft, one of which has a universal-joint connection with said yoke and the other being to a suitable support, and a yielding connection between said yoke and said support, whereby a limited vertical movement is al-; lowed to said band-wheel and the proper ten sion of the saw is maintained, substantially. as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a band-saw mil], the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of two supporting-standards, one in front and the other behind said band-wheel, a U-shaped yoke provided at its upper ends with suitable bearings for said sh aft and with laterally-proj ecting arms, which are pivotally connected with said standards, and a yielding connection between said yoke and a suitable support,

substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of two supporting-standards, one in front and the other behind said band-Wheel, and each provided with a vertically-movable slide, means for raising and lowering said slides,a yoke provided with suitable bearings for said shaft and with laterally-projecting arms, which are pivoted to said slides horizontally to one side of said shaft, and a yielding connection between said yoke and said slides, whereby the proper tension of the saw is maintained, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of two supporting-standards, each provided with a vertically-movable slide, one in front of and the other behind said band-wheel, a U -shaped' yoke provided at its upper ends with suitable bearings for said shaft and with lateral projections, which are pivoted to said slides horizontally to one side of said shaft, a horizontal rock-shaft journaled in said slides and provided with a weighted lever, and a crank-arm which is connected with said yoke, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In aband-saw mill,the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of two supporting-Standards, one located in front of and the other behind said band-wheel, and each provided with a vertically-m ovable slide, a U-shaped yoke provided at its upper ends with suitable bearings for said shaft and with lateral projections, which are pivoted to said slides horizontally to one side of said shaft, a yielding connection between said yoke and slides, whereby a limited vertical movement is allowed to said band-wheel and the proper tension of the saw is maintained, and means for adjusting one end of said shaft vertically and horizontally, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the band-wheels and saw, of a supporting-frame consisting of a base-plate, a pedestal mounted thereon to one side of the bandwheel shafts, supporting-Standards mounted upon said pedestal, one in front of and the other behind the upper band-wheel, and suitable bearings for the upper-band-wheel shaft, pivotally connected horizontally to oneside thereof with said standards, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a band-saw mill, a supporting-frame consisting of the base or bed plate, a pedestal mounted thereon, two supporting-standards mounted on said pedestal, and bearings for the upper-band-wheel shaft, connected with and projecting horizontally over said standards, whereby a clear space between the working side of the saw and the upper-band-wheel supports is obtained, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. I

14. In a band-saw mill, a supporting-frame consisting of a base or bed plate, a pedestal mounted thereon, two supporting-standards for carrying the upper band-wheel mounted upon said pedestal, and depending brackets provided with bearings for the lower-bandwheel shaft, one attached to said pedestal and the other to said base-plate, and bearings for the upper-band-wheel shaft, connected with said standards horizontally to one side of said upper-band-wheel shaft, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. In a band-saw mill, a supporting-frame consisting of abase-plate, a pedestal mounted thereon, two standards carrying the upper band-wheel mounted upon said pedestal, bearings for the upper-band-wheel shaft, connected horizontally to one sidethereof with said standards, and two depending brackets provided with bearings for the lower-band-wheel shaft, one attached to said base-plate and the other to said pedestal, the several parts of said supporting-frame being reversible, whereby they are adapted either to a right or a left hand mill, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

16. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper guide, of an overhanging bracket located behind the upper-band-wheel and provided at its overhanging end with a vertical way, a slide movable thereon, and a short depending arm adjustably attached to said slide and carrying said guide at its lower end, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the band-wheels and upper guide, of a supporting-frame consisting of a pedestal located on the opposite side of the center of the mill from the working side of the saw, two'standards carrying the bearings for the upper band-wheel mounted upon said pedes- IIO tal, one in front of and the other behind said with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of a pedestal set to one side of the center of the mill, two standards mounted thereon, one in front of and the other behind said band-wheel, and each provided with avertically-movable slide,

vertical screws having fixed bearings at their lower ends and working with nuts in said slides, a horizontal shaft geared with said screws and means for turning the same, a yoke provided with suitable bearings for said ban d-wh eel shaft, and with lateral projections, which are pivoted horizontally to one side of said band-wheel shaft to said slides, and a yielding connection between said yoke and said slides, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

21. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of a support provided with a bearing for said shaft and pivoted horizontally to one side thereof to the frame of the machine, so as to allow a limited vertical movement of said hearing, and a yielding connection between said support and frame, whereby the proper tension of the saw is maintained, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

22. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper-band-wheel and its shaft, of a suitable supporting-frame, a yoke provided with bearings for said shaft, and laterallyprojecting arms, with inverted-cup-shaped recesses set over upturned projections on said frame, to which said arms are pivoted, and a yielding connection between said yoke and frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

23. In a band-saw mill, the combination, with the upper band-wheel and its shaft, of bearings for said shaft, pivotally connected with a suitable support or supports, so as to permit of a sensitive yielding movement of said shaft, whereby the proper tension of the saw is maintained, and a connection by which said bearings are compelled to move together and the proper alignment of said shaft is maintained, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT OUNN IN GHAM.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS. L. Goss, JOHN HURLEY. 

